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• Initiated and planned Roadshow called "Vusani Isimilo", to promote awareness – (raise your consciousness) in the communities where high incidences of domestic violence and alcohol abuse have been observed. The roadshow was performed in Johannesburg , Pretoria , Ladysmith and Durban .
• Organised National Workgroup on the Sexual Offences Bill in partnership with Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre.
• Protested in Thato Radebe (rape and murder victim) case against bail for the accused. (Thato was viciously raped, stabbed and stoned to death.)
• Regularly approached by a wide range of radio stations, newspapers and tv channels for comment on multiple abuse issues.
• WMACA was part of the roundtable discussions on minimum sentencing
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• Protested and campaigned throughout Jacob Zuma's rape trial.
• Openened third Kidz Clinic, in Orange Farm.
• Negotiated with Investec and NOAH to start the Orphans and Vulnerable Children project in Alexandra.
• Together with Vodacom, arranged "Yebo Heroes" workshops in Alexandra, for the16 Days of Activism drive. The workshops aimed to provide teenagers with valuable life skills to ease the transition into adulthood.
• Initiated "Young Champions" interactive life skills development workshops, to address the enormous need for awareness education, targeting teenagers.
• In October 2006, together with TLAC, held a press conference to highlight and protest the disbanding of the Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences police units.
• Handed out gifts, donated by the public, to the children in Alexandra.
• Held a Christmas party for over 250 children
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• Initiated & planned new Kidz Clinic for Orange Farm
• Appeared on SABC 3 on
• 3 Talk - topic: child trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
• World Today - topic: WMACA and the fight against child abuse
• Interviewed on Radio 702 on several occasions and asked to comment on various aspects of child abuse.
• Organised sponsor for 8 year old rape victim Lerato to pay for schooling and therapy
• Initiated and implemented the Youth Development Programme, for the counselling of juvenile sex offenders, based on a programme developed by Teddy Bear Clinic.
• Revamped and re-initiated an in-school education programme called "Taming your Tokoloshe"
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Miranda Friedmann was invited to speak at a conference during Sexual Offences Bill Awareness Week. Her topic was “The challenges faced by child survivors of the criminal justice system”
Protests were held outside the Johannesburg High Court during the trial of Reuben Modiba, charged with the brutal rape of little “Lerato” in 2002. Our placards read "Nothing Less than a Life Sentence" for Lerato’s rapist. Miranda Friedmann attended most of the court hearings, giving support to the child’s parents, and providing comment to the media during the lengthy trial. Modiba received a life sentence for the rape, and a 10year sentence for kidnapping
Two successful Youth Development Programmes were run for convicted juvenile sex offenders at the Modderbee Prison on the East Rand
Kidz Clinic Boksburg
Between January and December, 485 children received specialised medical treatment, 1,002 children and non-abusive parents received psychological intervention and therapy, and a further 2,008 children received follow-up therapy
Kidz Clinic Alexandra
Between January and December, 230 children received specialised medical treatment, 564 children and non-abusive parents received psychological intervention and therapy, and a further 678 children received follow-up therapy
2003
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A second Kidz Clinic was established within the new SAPS structure in Alexandra Township. The facility was officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Ms Cheryl Gillwald, and the MEC for Safety and Liaison, Nomvula Mokonyane, on 5th December. This was planned to coincide with the Government driven “16 Days of Activism” Programme against violence against women and children
We were part of The Dossier of Shame campaign, How Schools Protect Rapists. This was another “16 Days of Activism” initiative to expose the incidence of molestation, abuse and rape at schools. Shortly after the campaign, the Department of Education investigated the principal of one of the schools concerned. We held a press conference with the Teddy Bear Clinic, and cases from the Kidz Clinic were highlighted
Ongoing rehabilitation and support was provided for both “Lerato” and her family
We became involved with the rehabilitation of another child rape survivor, Esther Willemse. From a very young age Esther was subjected to being raped by her father, brother and family friends, with the knowledge of her mother
A demonstration was held during Child Protection Week to highlight the need to protect children from the growing child pornography industry. Protesters stood outside an adult sex shop with anti-pornography banners
Another initiative during Child Protection Week was to treat 500 underprivileged children to a movie, thanks to Ster-Kinekor. Toys ‘R’ Us very kindly donated a gift for each child
The Juvenile Sex Offender Programme was launched at the Kidz Clinic in an effort to break the cycle of abuse in young offenders
Between January and December, 516 sexually abused children received specialised medical treatment, 1,098 children and non-abusive parents received psychological intervention and therapy, and a further 1,589 children received follow-up therapy at the Kidz Clinic.
2002
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A hard-hitting protest aimed at the “justice” system was organised during Child Protection Week outside the Johannesburg Magistrates Court. Protesters wearing black magistrates’ gowns held banners emblazoned with the words Blood on the Hands of Justice. The purpose of the protest was to express outrage at a) the low conviction rate of child abusers, and b) the unacceptable length of time from beginning of trial to sentencing, in child abuse cases. The campaign was extensively covered in the media
Together with Mike Waters from the DA, a media campaign entitled Handcuffed by Government and Red Tape was held. Many complaints had been received that Child Protection Units were severely understaffed and lacking in resources. A fact-finding mission followed, with information gathered from various CPU stations around SA. The final outcome was that some units received both additional resources and manpower
We began to support and assist with the lengthy rehabilitation of little “Lerato”, the six-year-old girl who sustained probably the worst injuries resulting from a child rape in South Africa. The perpetrator, a 22year-old man was arrested, and we held a protest at his first court appearance
Between January and December, 469 sexually abused children received specialised medical treatment, 628 children and non-abusive parents received psychological intervention and therapy, and a further 1,067 children received follow-up therapy at the Kidz Clinic
2001
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Our first annual fundraising Ball was held, and our new name Women and Men Against Child Abuse was launched. A national register of child sex offenders was promoted, (as in the UK) Two new projects were launched:
- School Education Programme, Taming Your Tokoloshe, and
- Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) support programme
Director, Miranda Friedmann was invited to participate at a conference in Cape Town regarding child pornography and the internet.
Between January and December, 462 sexually abused children received specialised medical treatment; 544 children and non-abusive parents received psychological intervention and therapy, and a further 228 children received follow-up therapy at the Kidz Clinic
2000
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The Kidz Clinic opened its doors in June.
Together with boxing champions Dingaan Thobela, Baby Jake Matlala and Joe Mafela, and in association with Muntu Khumalo, the Gauteng organiser for the ANC Women’s League, Women & Men Against Child Abuse was involved in the “Launch of Soweto 2000” at the Orlando Stadium. It highlighted the need for a safe and stimulating environment for children while their parents were at work
We embarked on an awareness and media campaign on the East Rand. This was organised to alert the community and schools in the area after a Grade 1 Pupil was brutally raped in her school toilet by a man posing as a teacher
Together with Dr Karin Muller, Head of Procedural Law and Director of the Unit for Child Abuse Research and Training at Vista University, we initiated a media campaign regarding the unsatisfactory court procedure employed for child abuse cases, and the need to implement specialised courts around the country
Several meetings were held with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Thoko Majokweni and Advocate Pierre Smith regarding the need to establish family, child-friendly courts
A number of fundraising activities were initiated to enable our organisation to continue to provide free treatment for abused children at the Kidz Clinic
In the six-month period July – December, 150 sexually abused children received specialised medical treatment, and 235 children received psychological intervention and therapy at the Kidz Clinic
1999
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Campaigned for Megan’s Law, a piece of US legislation requiring that a community be notified when a known paedophile moves into their area, to be introduced into South Africa
Invited to be part of a multidisciplinary Governmental process to draw up a protocol for the effective management of child abuse and neglect. The document was launched in May and was officiated by Graca Machel
Organised a protest outside the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court after an 11month old baby died at the hands of his mother and her lover
Organised a media campaign entitled There is no such thing as the best interests of the child in the South African Court System
Organised a campaign with Attorneys and Advocates Against Abuse. This encouraged the investigation into numerous irregularities regarding child molestation cases against a former minister, and the Attorney General then heard the case
Protested with rape survivor, Charlene Smith, outside the Jeppe Regional Magistrates Court. A 19year-old was accused of raping a 15year-old schoolgirl
Through support from sponsors, Women and Men Against Child Abuse purchased a house in central Boksburg, and alterations began in preparation for our first Kidz Clinic project
Organised a protest march for a young Kwa Zulu Natal women who was kidnapped, raped and badly burnt by her assailants. The march began in Yeoville and proceeded to Bezuidenhout Valley (where the victim was found on a building site)
1998
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Exposed one of the most shocking child prostitution cases in Brits, and organised protests outside the Brits Magistrates Court during the lengthy trial. A mother and stepfather of three girls aged seven, 13 and 15 were accused of forcing their children into prostitution. Six men were arrested and charged
Organised daily protests during the trial of a crèche owner in Kempton Park accused of the indecent assault of very young children in his care. The accused was found not guilty due to insufficient evidence
We highlighted the lack of child-friendly facilities in courts hearing child abuse cases.
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